Shotshell with combination load for personal defense

ABSTRACT

A shotshell comprising an elongate casing defining an internal chamber, a propellant located within said casing, and a shot load within the casing, the shot load comprising a plurality of disc-shaped projectiles, arranged in the casing so that the plane of each of the disc-shaped projectiles is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the casing, and a plurality of generally spherical projectiles disposed in the casing behind the generally disc-shaped projectiles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/293,422, filed on Jan. 8, 2010. The entire disclosure(s) of (each of) the above application(s) is (are) incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to shotshells, and in particular, to shotshells having a load comprising a combination of projectiles adapted for personal defense.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

While the shot used in shotshells is conventionally spherical, a wide variety of shapes have been used (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,877,381 and 4,913,054), including for example discs (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,648,637 and 6,161,482), cubes (U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,666), needles (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,996,923 and 5,325,786), pyramids (U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,904), cylinders (U.S. Pat. No. 2,343,818), flattened spheres (U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,659), belted spheres (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,020,438 and 5,527,376), dimpled spheres (U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,930), tear drops (U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,348), and flechettes (U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,195,107, 3,444,813, and 3,599,568), and even mixtures of sizes (U.S. Pat. Nos. 41,590, 1,277,810, 1,575,716, 1,883,575, 3,074,344, 3,131,634, 3,598,057, 3,796,157, 4,760,793, and 6,202,561) or shapes (U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,583,559, 3,996,865, 4,823,702, 4,982,666, and 7,607,393, and U.S. Application 20090114113).

However, these prior shells do not provide the type of projectiles and projectile pattern advantageously provided by embodiments of this invention.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

The present invention relates to shotshells that provide a combination of projectiles, particularly adapted for personal defense. Generally, the shotshell of the present invention comprises an elongate casing, with a front and a back, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. A propellant is disposed within the casing. A shot load is also disposed in the casing in front of the propellant. The shot load comprises a plurality of generally disc-shaped projectiles, arranged in the casing so that the plane of each of the generally disc-shaped projectiles is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the casing, and a plurality of generally spherical projectiles disposed behind the disc-shaped projectiles in the casing.

The shell preferably contains between two and four generally disc-shaped projectiles and in the most preferred embodiments three disc-shaped projectiles each having a diameter of at least 75% of the internal diameter of the casing, and more preferably 90% or more of the internal diameter of the casing. The generally disc-shaped projectiles preferably comprise between 50% and 220% of the weight of the spherical projectiles, and thus, comprise between about 33% and about 70% of the total load. The number of generally spherical projectiles depends upon their size and the available space in the shell. In the preferred embodiment the generally spherical projectiles are the size of U.S. standard BB shot.

In one preferred embodiment the shotshell is a .410 bore sized shell. This shell can of course be fired form a .410 bore shot gun, but it can also be fired from hand guns, including hand guns specially designed for this purpose, and standard hand guns of appropriate size, such as some .45 caliber hand guns. In this preferred embodiment, there are preferably three generally disc-shaped projectiles, each having a diameter of about 0.4 inches, a height of about 0.25 inches, and a weight equivalent to a U.S. standard 000 buckshot.

In another aspect, the invention comprises a generally disc-shaped projectile. In a preferred embodiment, this projectile comprises a generally cylindrical middle section with first and second faces, and a generally frustoconical projection on each of the first and second faces.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a shotshell (the load is not shown in cross section), in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a generally disc-shaped projectile, in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2B is a side elevation view of the generally disc-shaped projectile in FIG. 2A, the projectile being rotationally symmetric about a vertical axis;

FIG. 2C is a top plan view of the generally disc-shaped projectile in FIG. 2A, the bottom plan view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of a generally disc-shaped projectile, in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2E is a side elevation view of the generally disc-shaped projectile in FIG. 2D, the projectile being rotationally symmetric about a vertical axis;

FIG. 2F is a top plan view of the generally disc-shaped projectile in FIG. 2C, the bottom plan view being a mirror image thereof;

FIGS. 3A-3D are photographs showing the pattern of projectiles at 15 feet from a conventional Winchester .410 Super X 2.5 inch shotshell with 000 buckshot fired from a Taurus Judge® model 4510TKR-3SS;

FIGS. 4A-4B are photographs showing the pattern of projectiles at 15 feet from a conventional Winchester .410 AA 2.5 inch shotshell with #9 shot fired from a Taurus Judge® model 4510TKR-3SS, relative to a 20 inch circle;

FIGS. 5A-5B are photographs showing the pattern of projectiles at 15 feet from a conventional Winchester .410 Winchester 2.5 inch shotshell with #4 shot, fired from a Taurus Judge® model 4510TKR-3SS, relative to a 20 inch circle;

FIGS. 5C-5D are photographs showing the pattern of projectiles at 15 feet from a conventional Winchester .410 Winchester 2.5 inch shotshell with #4 shot, fired from a Taurus Judge® model 4510TKR-3SS, relative to a 10 inch and a 20 inch circle;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are photographs showing the pattern of projectiles at 7.5 and at 15 feet from a preferred embodiment of a .410 bore shotshell constructed according to the principles of this invention, fired from a Taurus Judge® model 4510TKR-3SS;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are photographs showing the pattern of projectiles at 7.5 and at 15 feet from a preferred embodiment of a .410 bore shotshell constructed according to the principles of this invention, fired from a Taurus Judge® model 4510TKR-3SS; and

FIGS. 8A and 8B are photographs showing the pattern of projectiles at 7.5 and at 15 feet from a preferred embodiment of a .410 bore shotshell constructed according to the principles of this invention, fired from a Taurus Judge® model 4510TKR-3SS.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A preferred embodiment of a shotshell constructed according to the principles of this invention is indicated generally as 20 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1 in the preferred embodiment, the shotshell is a .410 bore sized shell. The shell can be fired from a .410 bore shotgun, and also from .45 caliber hand guns either specially designed for that purpose or standard hand guns that can accommodate a .410 bore shell. Of course this invention is not so restricted and the shotshell could be made of any size, including, but not limited, to 10, 12, 16, 20, and 28 gauge shells. The invention is particularly advantageous in smaller sized shells when the total load volume and total load weight are limited.

Generally, the shotshell 20 of the preferred embodiment comprises an elongate casing 22, having a front end, a back end, and having a longitudinal axis indicated generally as A in FIG. 1 extending therebetween. The casing 22 comprises a hull 24, which is preferably made of plastic or paper, but could be made of any suitable material, and a head 26, typically made of brass.

A propellant charge 30, such as gun powder, is disposed in the casing 22. A primer 32 is set in the head 26, for igniting the propellant charge 30 when the shotshell 20 is fired. A wad 34 is disposed in the casing 22, above the propellant charge 30. Wads often have, and in this preferred embodiment, wad 34 does have, a cup-shaped receptacle for a load 36.

in this preferred embodiment, the shot load 36 comprises a plurality of generally disc-shaped projectiles 38, arranged in the casing 22 so that the plane of each of the disc-shaped projectiles is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the casing. There are preferably three disc-shaped projectiles 38 in the casing 22, although there could be fewer or more.

The shot load 36 further comprises a plurality of generally spherical projectiles 40. The generally spherical projectiles 40 are preferably disposed behind to the generally disc-shaped projectiles 38 in the casing 22, but in some embodiments could be disposed above the generally disc-shaped projectiles, or both in front of or behind the generally disc-shaped projectiles.

In the preferred embodiment where the shotshell 20 is a .410 bore sized shell, there are between two and four, and more preferably three generally disc-shaped projectiles 38, each having a diameter of about 0.4 inches, which corresponds to the internal diameter of the casing, and a thickness of about 0.25 inches. A particularly desirable embodiment is a 2.5 inch .410 bore sized shell, with between two and five disc-shaped projectiles. The generally disc-shaped projectiles 38 can be made of lead or a lead alloy (but could be made of lead-free alternatives, such as alloys or composites containing iron, copper, tungsten, and/or tin), and can be plated, for example, with copper or other suitable material. Copper plating, depending upon its thickness, can enhance the structural integrity of the projectile, improve the appearance of the projectiles, and possibly help reduce fouling of the barrel of the gun from which the shells 20 are fired. The projectiles 38 preferably weigh at least as much as 00 buckshot (about 53 grains), and more preferably at least as much as 000 buckshot (about 70 grains).

While the generally disc-shaped projectile 38 can be a disc with a cylindrical sidewall, and flat top and bottom surfaces, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, in the preferred embodiment, the generally disc-shaped projectile 38 has a cylindrical central portion 50, with first and second ends 52 and 54, each with a frustoconical projection 56 and 58. The fustoconical portions 56 and 58 preferably have a base angle of 45° or less, and terminate in a flat, generally circular end. The frustoconical projections 56 and 58 help improve the flight characteristics of the projectiles 38, as well as penetration into the target.

As shown in FIGS. 2D-2E in an alternate preferred embodiment, the generally disc-shaped projectile 38′ has a cylindrical central portion 50′, with flattened dome-shaped protections 56′ and 58′ on either side of the central section, the flattened dome shaped sections and terminating in flat, generally circular ends. The projections 56′ and 58′ help improve the flight characteristics of the projectiles 38′, as well as penetration into the target.

In the preferred embodiment where the shotshell 20 is a .410 bore sized shell, the shell 20 preferably also contains between about ten and about 30 generally spherical projectiles 40. These generally spherical projectiles 40 can be any size, and the size determines the number of shot that can fit in the casing. However, the shot are preferably between at least size 4 shot and size T shot, and are most preferably size BB shot. The generally spherical projectiles 40 do not all have to be the same size or shape.

In general, it is desirable that the generally disc-shaped projectiles 38 are between 50% and 220% of the weight of the generally spherical projectiles 40, or in other words, the disc-shaped projectiles preferably comprise between about 33% and about 70% of the total load. In other embodiments, it is desirable that the disc-shaped projectiles comprise at least 60% of the total load.

In the most preferred embodiment, there are about twelve generally spherical projectiles 40, of the size of BB shot. These projectiles are preferably made of lead or lead alloy (but could be made of lead-free alternatives such as alloys or composites containing iron, copper, tungsten, and/or tin), and can optionally be plated with copper or other suitable material. Copper plating, depending upon its thickness, can enhance the structural integrity of the projectile, improve the appearance of the projectiles, and possibly help reduce fouling of the barrel of the gun from which the shells 20 are fired.

The load for a given shell depends upon its size and intended use. For a 2.5 inch shell, between two and four disc-shaped projectiles 38 can be loaded, with three being the preferred number. For a 3 inch shell, between two and five disc-shaped projectiles can be loaded, with four being the preferred number. These disc projectiles are preferably between about 0.360 and about 0.405 inches in diameter, and more preferably are about 0.400 inches. These disc projectiles preferably have a thickness of between about 0.200 and about 0.350 inches, and more preferably are about 0.250 inches. The mass of each disc projectile is preferably between 50 and 100 grains, and more preferably is about 70 grains.

The flattened disc projectiles increase the packing density for increased payload, and provide a greater rate of energy transfer on target (compared to spherical projectiles).

The spherical projectiles 40 are preferably a conventional shot. For a 2.5 inch shell, there are preferably between about 10 and about 30 spherical projectiles, and more preferably about 12 spherical projectiles. For a 3 inch shell, there are preferably between about 12 and about 40 spherical projectiles, and more preferably about 16 projectiles. The shot preferably ranges in size from Size 4 shot, with a diameter of 0.125 inches, and a mass of 3 grains to size T shot, with a diameter of 0.200 inches and a mass of 12 grains. There is a trade-off between the number of spherical projectiles and their size. The preferred size is a BB size shot with a diameter of 0.180 inches and a mass of 8.5 grains. In a 2.5 inch shell, thirty size 4 shot can be accommodated, or as many as twelve BB size shot, while preferably there are about 12 BB size shot in the preferred embodiment.

The use of spherical projectiles behind the disc projectiles reduces peak pressure caused by heavy payload. The inventors also believe that smashing the spherical projectiles beneath the disc-shaped projectiles improves (tightens) patterns when fired from a rifled barrel. The setback forces also deform the round pellets, creating a more aggressive profile for improved wounding characteristics.

Table 1 illustrates the preferred range and most preferred values for the number and size of each type of projectile for 2.5 inch and 3 inch shells.

TABLE 1 2½″ Loading Current 3″ Loading Min Max Preferred Min Max Preferred Disc Number (pcs) 2  4 3 2  5 4 Diameter (inches) 0.360  0.405 0.400 0.360  0.405 0.400 Thickness (inches) 0.200  0.350 0.250 0.200  0.350 0.250 Mass (grains) 50 100 70 50 100 70 Pellets Number (pcs) 10  30+ 12 12  40+ 16 Diameter (inches) 0.125  0.200 0.180 0.125  0.200 0.180 Mass (grains) 3  12 8.5 3.2  12 8.5 Size (Amer. 4 T BB 4 T BB Std.)

Table 2A illustrates the relationship between size and weight of U.S. standard sizes of shot, and Table 2B illustrates the relationship between size and weight of U.S. standard buckshot:

TABLE 2A Standard U.S. Shot Sizes Pellets per oz (28 g) Size Nominal diameter Lead Quantity per lb. FF  .23″ (5.84 mm) F  .22″ (5.59 mm) TT  .21″ (5.33 mm) T  .20″ (5.08 mm) BBB .190″ (4.83 mm) 44 550 BB .180″ (4.57 mm) 50 650 B .170″ (4.32 mm) 1 .160″ (4.06 mm) 72 925 2 .150″ (3.81 mm) 87 1120 3 .140″ (3.56 mm) 108 1370 4 .130″ (3.30 mm) 135 1720 5 .120″ (3.05 mm) 170 2180 6 .110″ (2.79 mm) 225 2850 7½ .095″ (2.41 mm) 350 3775 8 .090″ (2.29 mm) 410 5150 8½ .085″ (2.15 mm) 497 9 .080″ (2.03 mm) 585 7400

TABLE 2B Standard U.S. Buckshot Sizes Size Nominal diameter Pellets/oz TriBall (12 Ga.) <5> .60″ (15.24 mm) ¾ ounce per pellet 0000 (“quadruple-ought”) .38″ (9.7 mm) 5 000 (“triple-ought”) .36″ (9.1 mm) 6 00 (“double-ought”) .33″ (8.4 mm) 8 0 (“ought”) .32″ (8.1 mm) 9 1 .30″ (7.6 mm) 10 2 .27″ (6.9 min) 15 3 .25″ (6.4 mm) 18 4 .24″ (6 mm) 27

FIGS. 6A, 7A, and 8A illustrates the pattern of the projectiles at 7.5 feet and fired from a Taurus Judge® model 4510TKR-3SS .45 caliber hand gun. FIGS. 6B, 7B, and 8B shows the corresponding patterns at 15 feet. As shown in the figures, the three disc-shaped projectiles 38 form a tight pattern of three hits 60 within a circle 62 of about 2 inches in diameter, and more preferably about 1.5 inches in diameter. In the preferred embodiment of a 2.5 inch .410 bore load containing 12 BB sized shot. The twelve generally spherical projectiles 40 form a tight pattern of twelve hits 64 within a circle 66 of about 20 inches in diameter, preferably with at least 75% of the pellets within a circle of 15 inches. This embodiment is highly desirable for personal use because it puts a substantial amount of the load on the intended target, yet provides projectiles of a tight pattern around the target, so that even if the shot is not properly aligned with the intended target, some portion of the projectiles hit the intended target. The spread of the shot varies based upon shot size, with smaller sizes generally patterning wider than larger.

The patterns shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 with both disc-shaped and spherical projectiles, provides an advantageous pattern relative to prior .410 bore shotshells with just 000 buckshot (FIG. 3), relative to .410 bore shotshells with just #9 shot (FIG. 4), and relative to .410 bore shotshells with just #4 shot (FIG. 5).

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. 

1. A shotshell comprising: an elongate casing having a longitudinal axis, and a head; a propellant located within said casing; and a shot load within the internal chamber, the shot load comprising a plurality of generally disc-shaped projectiles, arranged in the casing so that the plane of each of the generally disc-shaped projectiles is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the casing, and a plurality of generally spherical projectiles disposed in the casing behind the generally disc-shaped projectiles.
 2. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein there are at least three generally disc-shaped projectiles.
 3. The shotshell according to claim 2 wherein there are four generally disc-shaped projectiles.
 4. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the diameter of each of the disc-shaped projectiles is at least about 75% of the internal diameter of the casing.
 5. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the weight of each of the generally disc-shaped projectiles is at least 50 grains.
 6. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the diameter of each of the generally spherical projectiles is between about 0.08 and about 0.2 inches.
 7. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the total mass of the generally disc-shaped projectiles is between about 50% and 220% of the total mass of the generally spherical projectiles.
 8. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the total mass of the generally disc-shaped projectiles is between about 33% and about 70% of the total mass of the load.
 9. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the generally disc-shaped projectiles weigh at least as much as 00 buckshot.
 10. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the generally disc-shaped projectiles weigh at least as much as 000 buckshot.
 11. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the shotshell is sized to fit .410 bore, and wherein the shell contains three generally disc-shaped projectiles.
 12. The shotshell according to claim 11 wherein the generally disc-shaped projectile has a generally central cylindrical section within a diameter, with first and second sides, and a generally frustoconical projection on each of the first and second sides.
 13. The shotshell according to claim 11 wherein each of the generally disc-shaped projectiles has a diameter of about 0.4 inches and a height of about 0.25 inches.
 14. The shotshell according to claim 13 wherein the generally disc-shaped projectiles are made substantially of lead, and have a weight equal to 000 shot.
 15. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein each of the generally disc-shaped projectiles is copper plated.
 16. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein there are twelve generally spherical projectiles, each the size of a standard BB shot.
 17. The shotshell according to claim 1 wherein the generally disc-shaped projectiles comprise more than 60% of the weight of the load.
 18. A .410 bore shotshell comprising: an elongate casing with a front end and a back end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, a head at the back end of the casing; a propellant located within said casing; and a shot load within the internal chamber, the shot load comprising of at least three generally disc-shaped projectiles, each of the generally disc-shaped projectiles weighing at least as much as a 00 buckshot, and being arranged in the casing so that the plane of each of the generally disc-shaped projectiles is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the casing, and a plurality of generally spherical projectiles disposed in the casing behind the generally disc-shaped projectiles.
 19. The .410 bore shotshell according to claim 18 wherein each of the generally disc-shaped projectiles weights at least as much as a 000 buckshot.
 20. The .410 bore shotshell according to claim 19 wherein each of the generally disc-shaped projectiles has a diameter of about 0.4 inches and a height of about 0.25 inches.
 21. The .410 bore shotshell according to claim 18 wherein there are twelve generally spherical projectiles, each the size of a standard BB shot.
 22. A generally disc-shaped projectile for shotshell, the generally disc-shaped projectile having a generally central cylindrical section, with first and second sides, and a generally frustoconical projection on each of the first and second sides.
 23. The generally disc-shaped projectile according to claim 22, wherein the generally central cylindrical section has a diameter of about 0.4 inches, wherein the generally disc-shaped projectile has a thickness of about 0.25 inches.
 24. The generally disc-shaped projectile of claim 22 wherein the projectile weighs at least as much as a 00 buckshot.
 25. The generally disc-shaped projectile of claim 24 wherein the projectile weighs the same as a 000 buckshot.
 26. The generally disc-shaped projectile of claim 22 wherein the projectile is made of lead or a lead alloy and copper plated. 